Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024
(1) General Scope and Purpose of the Grant Program. The purpose of the grant program is:
(a) to provide a cost-effective woodbridge technology through selective applications of wood bridges on the secondary road system of Georgia;
(b) to enhance forest management opportunities and incentives on forests belonging to the non-industrial private landowner.
(2) Many communities and counties have bridges that are deficient, or obsolete. Wood bridge designs are now available which can carry any legal load allowed on a highway in the state. Demonstrating this technology with qualified cooperators will allow a broader and faster dissemination of this cost-effective technology to communities throughout the state. The program will be made available to potential grantees from county and municipal governments throughout the state. As market demand for forest products increase from bridge construction activities, reforestation efforts should be enhanced as well as additional incentives to grow and manage forests.
(3) General Terms and Conditions of the Grant. The general terms and conditions of the grant are:
(a) maximum grant amount is $35,000 per vehicular bridge site, and $10,000 for pedestrian bridge sites;
(b) the recipient must agree to match contributions on a 50/50 cost-share arrangement with the state for both vehicular and pedestrian bridges.
(c) the grant recipient must bear the burden of any cost-overruns above budget amounts, and above grant maximum limits.
(d) the grant recipient must agree to use properly preservativetreated natively occurring timber species for the wood component of the bridge;
(e) all highway vehicular bridges must be designed to HS20-44 load rating;
(f) additionally, a grant application is required.
(4) Eligible Recipients of the Grant. The grant recipient must be a political subdivision of the State of Georgia such as a county, or municipality which operates, maintains, or is otherwise responsible for local pedestrian and/or vehicular bridge systems. Joint applications between adjoining political subdivisions are allowed.
(5) Criteria for the award of the Grant are:
(a) Structural and Environmental Integrity. Proposal should include a description of the structural components of the bridge, design specifications, identification of wood species and preservative treatments to be used. If the proposal is approved for funding, an appropriate registered engineer must sign off as the engineer of record.
(b) Rural Development - Local Economy. The use of species native to the State is important. Emphasis is placed on developing and using regional resources in the structural design, productions of the components and construction of the bridge to promote local and/or regional industry and increase employment. State the benefits to the local economy of the improved transportation system facilitated by the bridge.
(c) Visibility and Publicity. Aesthetic quality along with public attention should be emphasized. Cooperation among various government units (federal, state, local) and private industry (materials suppliers, designers, contractors) is encouraged.
(d) Case History. The proposal must demonstrate a commitment to document the bridge project from the start through all stages of development, including regular inspections of the bridge after installation is completed.
(e) Timely Progress Documentation. A timely progress plan should be documented and followed that includes target dates of site selection, site profiling, final design, obtaining necessary permits, supply of materials, material preparation and machining, preservative treatment, and fabrication and erection.
(f) Actual Cost Documentation. This is a commitment to track all project costs through all phases of the project development and construction.
(g) Estimated Cost. The bridge superstructure should have a cost, considering both initial and life cycle cost, competitive with, and preferably less than, a bridge of competitive materials.
(6) Directions and deadlines for applying for such grant. Requests for applications and additional information should be directed to the:
Georgia Forestry Commission
Utilization, Marketing & Development Department
P.O. Box 819
Macon, Georgia 31202-0819
or phone 912-751-3521. Deadline for submitting an application is set for October 15, 1998, with final awards prior to July 1, 1999.
Ga. Law 1955, pp. 309-314; O.C.G.A. Sec. 12-6-5.
